CSL have advised that they have ceased production of their whole-cell typhoid vaccine, which will no longer be available once present stocks run out. The product has been replaced by the purified capsular polysaccharide vaccine Typhim Vi, made by Pasteur Merieux. This vaccine is equally effective and produces fewer adverse reactions. The CSL oral live-attenuated typhoid vaccine, Typh-Vax (Oral) will remain available for those who prefer not to have injections.

As Typhim Vi is not presently approved for use in Australia in children under the age of 5 years, CSL have maintained a stock of long-dated doses of the whole-cell vaccine for use in children.

This article was published in Communicable Diseases Intelligence Volume 22, No 9, 3 September 1998.